The Maldives will re-open its borders to international tourists on 15th July 2020. Resorts, liveaboards, and hotels located at uninhabited islands will be open from that date, with guest houses and hotels located at inhabited islands opening from 1st August 2020.

The Maldives relies heavily on the tourism industry as it accounts for the largest foreign exchange earnings, making it the biggest economic contributor in the country. However, it has come to a standstill due to the stringent public health measures taken to curb the pandemic. The tourism industry has been gearing up to restart; it is set to resume in compliance with protective measures, taking into account the safety of tourists and staff working in the industry.

The guidelines for re-opening the tourism sector, “Public Health Interventions to Prevent COVID-19 Transmission in the Tourism Sector”, was also released today by the Ministry of Tourism, giving comprehensive information for all sectors across the tourism industry on their standard operating procedures, as well as important information to tourists.

According to the guidelines, tourists are not required to pay an additional fee, produce a certificate or test result indicating that it’s negative for COVID-19 before entry into the Maldives. For tourists without symptoms, there is no requirement for quarantine either. The guideline will be periodically reviewed based on further developments.

Before your travel to the Maldives

• Travelers who have a history of contact with a suspected or confirmed case of COVID- 19 within the past 14 days and persons who have a fever or respiratory symptoms such as cough, sore throat, shortness of breath within the past 14 days are advised not to travel to the Maldives.
• Regular official updates on travel to the Maldives are provided on the websites of the Ministry of Tourism (https://www.tourism.gov.mv/) and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (https://www.foreign.gov.mv/) of the Maldives.
• All passengers should submit a health declaration card upon arrival, complete onboard the aircraft.
• As per border health and aviation procedure, if a passenger has a fever, cough, or shortness of breath on board the flight, it should be informed to the Health Protection Agency.
• Confirmed booking in a tourist establishment registered with the Ministry of Tourism before traveling is mandatory.
• Tourist resorts, liveaboard vessels, and hotels located on uninhabited islands are open for bookings starting from 15th July 2020.
• Guesthouses and hotels located on inhabited islands will open for bookings starting from 1st August 2020.
• However, guest houses and hotels located on inhabited islands will accommodate transiting passengers waiting for domestic transfers under special permits. Transit arrangements can be made through the primary facility where the stay is booked.
• Tourists are advised to directly check offers and operational status with the preferred tourist establishments on their websites and mobile applications.
• Tourists who visit the Maldives during phase 1 of opening shall book their entire stay in one registered establishment. Stays at multiple resorts and hotels are not permitted during this period. However, exemptions will be made for transit arrangements.

By Paul Johnson aluxurytravelblog.com